COLLEGE STATION, Texas, March 27. AUBURN's Kohlton Norys touched out California's David Russell by .04 seconds to capture the 100-yard backstroke at NCAAs.
Norys posted a swift time of 45.26, while Russell got his hand to the wall in 45.30 for second. The only closer finish in the 100 back in NCAA history came back in 1964 when Robert Bennett of Southern California tied teammate Richard McGeagh with matching 53.10s, but a judge's decision gave the title to Bennett.
The victory made history for the Auburn Tigers as the program had never claimed the 100 back prior to this evening.
Texas' Hill Taylor wound up third in 45.41 with Auburn's Pascal Wollach finished fourth in 45.43.
Auburn's monster 1-4-6 finish cut the team gap to eight points with Texas in the lead with 305 points. Auburn sat second with 297 points, while Stanford held third with 265 points. California (225) and Florida (207) owned the other top-five spots.
